argument048 [米国有米] 2.11

绚烂夏花UID: 2245298

argument48
The following appeared in a newspaper article published in the country of Corpora.

"Twenty years ago, one half of all citizens in Corpora met the standards for adequate physical fitness as then defined by the national advisory board on physical fitness. Today, the board says that only one quarter of all citizens are adequately fit and suggests that spending too much time using computers may be the reason. But since overall fitness levels are highest in regions of Corpora where levels of computer ownership are also highest, it is clear that using computers has not made citizens less physically fit. Instead, as shown by this year's unusually low expenditures on fitness-related products and services, the recent decline in the economy is most likely the cause, and fitness levels will improve when the economy does."


The seemingly sound argument concludes that the economy rather than the using of computers is the reason for the decline in physical fitness of citizenship in Corpora. However, based on dubious evidence and illogical reasoning, the argument is far from perfect.

Firstly, the only evidence, that the regions of Corpora where overall fitness levels are highest gets the highest computer ownership, is not sufficient enough to prove that the using of computer is not the reason for the decline in fitness of citizenship in the region. For one thing, those owing computer in the region don't necessarily overuse the computer to harm their health. Instead, they may use it on a regular basis or seldom use the computer unless necessary, so that the harm cause by too much using computer is avoid. For another, even if the residents use computer for too much time, the harm in fitness can be made up by other ways. It is highly possible that citizens in the region that has the highest fitness levels do a lot of sports such as jogging, running or playing basketball and the like to keep fit. Besides, a healthy life style like regular schedule for daily activities and a healthy diet, can contribute to the health of the residents. Hence, without taking these factors into account, the author's deduction, that using computer has not made citizens less physic ally fit, is highly suspect.

Moreover, the low expenditures on fitness-related products and services does not necessarily indicate a decline in economy. Other factors may attribute the phenomena. For example, the price of the fitness-related products and services may decrease dramatically as a result of fierce competition among companies. It is also likely that people in the region turn to some other sorts of activities which call for little economic consumption to keep fit, say jogging and walking. Even if the economy of the city does decline, it may not be the cause for the decline in fitness. Other alternatives despite using computer may be responsible for it--unhealthy life style, unhealthy food, pollution in water and air and so on. Without ruling out such and other alternatives, the author's assumption that the recent decline in economy is most likely the cause for the decline in health is open to doubt.

In addition, even if we concede that the decline in economy is the cause for the decline in fitness, it is still to early to say fitness level will improve when the economy does. If the price increases so dramatically with the improvement of the economy that people can not afford the expensive fitness-related products and services, and at the same time the environment in the region becomes unsuitable for living, and worse still residents lead a unhealthy life style, can we expect the fitness level in the region to increase? Neglecting these elements that have a lot to with the fitness level in the area, the author's conclusion is far from persuasive.

After careful consideration, the author of the letter lacks both sufficient evidence and precise reasoning to make a sound argument. He/ She should make a thorough investment into at least three aspects mentioned above, thus providing solid evidence to prove that the decline in economy rather than using computer is the actual cause for the decline in fitness level and the improvement in economy will surely lead to the increase in fitness level.

holdingUID: 2285054

The seemingly sound argument concludes that the economy rather than the using of computers is the reason for the decline in physical fitness of citizenship in Corpora. However, based on dubious evidence and illogical reasoning, the argument is far from perfect.

Firstly, the only evidence, that the regions of Corpora where overall fitness levels are highest gets the highest computer ownership, is not sufficient enough to prove that the using of computer is not the reason for the decline in fitness of citizenship in the region. For one thing, those owing computer in the region don't necessarily overuse the computer to harm their health. Instead, they may use it on a regular basis or seldom use the computer unless necessary, so that the harm cause by too much using computer is avoid. For another, even if the residents use computer for too much time, the harm in fitness can be made up by other ways. It is highly possible that citizens in the region that has the highest fitness levels do a lot of sports such as jogging, running or playing basketball and the like to keep fit. Besides, a healthy life style like regular schedule for daily activities and a healthy diet, can contribute to the health of the residents. Hence, without taking these factors into account, the author's deduction, that using computer has not made citizens less physic ally fit, is highly suspect.

Moreover, the low expenditures on fitness-related products and services does (do) not necessarily indicate a decline in economy. Other factors may attribute the phenomena. For example, the price of the fitness-related products and services may decrease dramatically as a result of fierce competition among companies. It is also likely that people in the region turn to some other sorts of activities which call for little economic consumption to keep fit, say jogging and walking. Even if the economy of the city does decline, it may not be the cause for the decline in fitness. Other alternatives despite using computer may be responsible for it--unhealthy life style, unhealthy food, pollution in water and air and so on. Without ruling out such and other alternatives, the author's assumption that the recent decline in economy is most likely the cause for the decline in health is open to doubt.

In addition, even if we concede that the decline in economy is the cause for the decline in fitness, it is still to (too) early to say fitness level will improve when the economy does. If the price increases so dramatically with the improvement of the economy that people can not afford the expensive fitness-related products and services, and at the same time the environment in the region becomes unsuitable for living, and worse still residents lead a (an) unhealthy life style, can we expect the fitness level in the region to increase? Neglecting these elements that have a lot to with the fitness level in the area, the author's conclusion is far from persuasive.

After careful consideration, the author of the letter lacks both sufficient evidence and precise reasoning to make a sound argument. He/ She should make a thorough investment (research) into at least three aspects mentioned above, thus providing solid evidence to prove that the decline in economy rather than using computer is the actual cause for the decline in fitness level and the improvement in economy will surely lead to the increase in fitness level.